Illusion-producing mechanical toy



Nov. 16, 1954 S. REYNOLDS ETAL ILLUSION-PRODUCING MECHANICAL TOY Filed March 20, 1952 "2"- )d fj /0 @j F162. f@ /2 United States Patent O ILLUSiN-PRDUCING MECHANICAL TOY Schuyler Reynolds and Ulysses Frederic Grant, Coiumbus, hio

Application March 20, 1952, Serial No. 277,604

2 Claims. (Cl. 272-8) The present invention relates generally to novelties or toys, and more particularly to a toy designed to simulate a printing, engraving or other graphic reproduction device.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a toy device which is operable to impart the illusion to an observer that the device functions to print or engrave currency or other indicia-bearing sheets from a blank sheet of paper or similar liexible material so inserted within the device as to be concealed progressively with the exposure of a previously printed or engraved indicia-bearing sheet, such as currency.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toy or novelty of this character which is characterized by its ease of operation, simplicity of construction, and economy of manufacture.

The present invention, in its more specific aspects, simulates in miniature a printers proof press and comprises a relatively flat base frame formed or otherwise provided with an upper at rectangular bed surface of a predetermined coloration arranged for the flat reception of a bank note or similar indicia-bearing strip or sheet of paper, the simulation of which is desired through the operation of the present toy device. The base frame Slidably supports a carriage member which, in turn, rotatably supports a roller element arranged to extend transversely across and in relatively closely spaced relation to the bed surface of the base frame, and which is movable longitudinally over the bed surface of the base frame in conjunction with the carriage member after the manner of an inking roller.

A curtain strip of flexible material, such as paper or fabric, has one end thereof connected with an end portion of the base frame and its opposite end trained about and secured to the outer periphery of the roller after the manner of the ordinary window shade, and the curtain strip functions, for example, when unwound from the roller, to receive a blank strip or sheet of paper upon its outer surface, and simultaneously to obscure and conceal from the view of an observer an indicia-bearing sheet which occupies a flat position between the bed surface of the base frame and the inner surface of the curtain strip. The blank sheet may be inserted with one end between the outer surface of the curtain strip and the peripheral surface of the roller, which is covered by a portion of the curtain strip, in order that longitudinal movement of the roller and consequent winding of the curtain strip thereabout will also serve to wind and conceal the blank sheet of paper about the roller while simultaneously exposing the indicia-bearing strip or sheet previously obscured by the curtain strip. Means, in the form of a torsion spring is connected between the roller and the carriage member in a manner to be placed under tension upon axial rotation of the roller in one direction, to insure of tautness within the curtain strip both with respect to the roller andthe bed surface of the frame.

Thus, in operation, by suitably placing .a pre-selected indicia-bearing sheet of paper upon the bed surface of the base frame and by covering the same with the under surface of the curtain strip, by movement of the roller in one direction, thereafter, a blank sheet of paper may be laid atly upon the outer surface of the curtain strip and the roller moved longitudinally in the opposite direction over the bed surface to simultaneously wind .the blank strip about the roller and between the convolution of curtain strip while at the same time exposing the indiciabearing strip, to thereby impart the illusion to an observer that the roller passes over thevblanksheet of paper and y 2,694,571 Patented Nov. 16, 1954 prints indicia thereon corresponding to lthe indicia of the previously hidden and pre-selected sheet of paper.

For a further and more detailed understanding of the present invention and the various additional objects and advantages ambient thereto, reference -is made to the kfollowing description and the accompanying drawing where- 1n:

Fig. l is a top plan view of our improved printersimulating toy showing the roller element in an intermediate position exposing a portion of .both the blank and the indicia-bearing sheets;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the toy with the roller and carriage element occupying an intermediate position with respect to the base or bed frame;

Fig. 3 is a medial longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the toy with the roller and carriage at one end of the frame;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the roller and carriage members at `the -opposite end .of the base frame;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a detailed transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line `6---6 of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawing, it -will be seen that the present printer-simulating toy comprises a substantially at rectangular base frame 10 formed along its side edges with upturned and relatively shallow side wall portions or bearers 11, and at either end .thereof with relatively short depending supporting legs -12 which serve to elevate the base frame when the latter is laid upon a table top or other at surface. The base frame is formed between the bearers with a coextensive flat uplanar upper bed surface 13, and positioned on ,and coextensive with the bed surface 13 is a sheet or web of paper or other material 14. The web 14 `extends fully from end to end of the upper surface of the baseframe 10 and between the side wall extensions 11 and may .advantageously be cemented or otherwise suitably bonded to .the upper surface of the base frame to cover the same. i Preferably, the web or sheet 14 possesses a predetermined coloration and design upon its upper surface for a purpose to be more fully explained hereinafter. Alternatively, the separate web 14 may be eliminated as a covering for the yupper surface of the base frame, andthe latter formed with or therwise suitably provided with a surface .coloration and esign.

Slidably carried upon the base frame between the legs 12 is a substantially U-shaped carriage member 15 which includes a cross piece 16 extending below the lower surface of the base frame 10, and a pair of opposed upstanding ears 17 arising vertically on either side of the base frame 10. The inner side surfaces of the .ears 17 of the carriage are suitably recessed, as at 18, to form opposed inwardly opening channels for the reception of the upturned bearers 11 of the base frame. Thus, the carriage 15 is guided by means of the upturned bearers 11 of the base frame for longitudinal movement with respect to the base frame and the side edges of the cross piece 16 -of the carriage are suitably recessed in the planes of the leg members 12 to permit the side edges of the cross piece to be flush with the ends of the base frame 10 as the carriage moves from end to end of the frame.

Each of the upstanding ear portions 17 of the carriage, above the bearer-receiving channel thereof, is formed with a central cylindrical recess 19 adjoining a circular bore or opening 19a which extends completely through the ear portion.

Extending slightly into the opening 19a, from the outer sides of the ear portions 17, are Aa pair of inwardly .directed bearing stubs 2t) formed on the bifurcated ends 21 of a yoke-type handle 22. The cylindrical recesses 19 formed on the inner sides of lthe ear portions 17 rotatably receive the extended hub portion 23 of .a transverselyy extending cylindrical roller 24. The roller 24 is for-med with a continuous axial .bore 25 and is of a length to cause the ends of the larger diameter portion thereof to closely t between the bearers .11 of the base frame. A compound torsion spring 26 extends through the bore 25 of the roller and terminates at either end in a pair of hooked extremities 26a whichl are rigidily anchored within recesses provided in the bifurcated arms 21 of the handle 22. The spring 26 comprises a pair of oppositely wound spiral sections which are joined substantially in the middle of the spring by an eccentric or offset loop portion 26h. The loop portion 26b of the spring is abutted on one side thereof by a flush head screw or pin 27 which is carried by and extends diametrically through the roller 24. Thus, rotation of the roller in one direction relative to the handle 22 serves to tension the spring 2S in a manner to resiliently resist such rotation.

Wound about and secured to the peripheral surface of the roller 24, in any suitable manner, such as by adhesion, or mechanical means, not shown, is one end portion of a flexible curtain strip 28 whose opposite end is suitably secured, as at 29, to one end of the base frame 10. As shown particularly in Fig. 3, the curtaln strlp 28 is arranged on the roller 24 after the manner of the ordinary window shade, so that the curtain strip 1s substantially fully and tightly wound about the roller 24 when the carriage occupies a left hand end position as viewed from Fig. 3, and the spring 26 is so arranged as to be substantially relaxed or only slightly tensioned when the curtain strip is substantially fully wound about the roller 24.

Thus, it will be seen, that as the carriage is moved longitudinally over the bed of the base frame by manipulation of the handle 22, the anchored end 29 of the curtain strip 28 causes the roller 24 to rotate and unwind the curtain strip therefrom against progressively increasing tension of the spring 26. As the carriage 15 reaches the opposite or right hand end of the base frame, as shown in Fig. 4, the curtain strip substantially completely obscures the upper surface of the base frame 10 and the covering web 14 carried thereon. The width of the curtain strip 28 is substantially equal to the length of the l roller 24 and the width of the bed surface 13 of the base frame so as to t snugly between the upturned bearers 11 of the base frame to thereby completely cover the web 14 when unrolled or unwound from the roller.

As the carriage is moved between its opposite end positions, as disclosed in Figs. 3 and 4, respectively, the torsion spring 26 is tensioned so as to maintain the curtain strip 28 in a taut condition causing the same to lie flatly upon the web 14 and tightly about the roller 24. To lock the carriage 1S in its right hand position as shown in Fig. 4, wherein the spring reaches substantially maximum tension, there is provided upon the lower surface of the base frame 10 substantially at the right hand end portion thereof a tapered frictional locking lug or shoulder 30. As the cross web 16 of the carriage moves across the lower surface of the base frame, from left to right, the cross web rides over the shoulder and frictionally engages the same to hold the carriage against accidental return from its Fig. 4 to its Fig. 3 position under forces exerted by the spring 2S.

The spring is also arranged so as to pull evenly inwardly upon the opposite bifurcated arms 21 of the handle with which the spring is connected, and the arms 21, in turn, exert a slight inward pressure upon the ear portions 17 of the carriage to insure a relatively close, yet rotatable fit between the hub portions of the roller and the carriage, and to insure against accidental separation of the roller and carriage members.

Preferably, the side surface of the curtain strip lying adjacent to the upper surface of the base frame possesses a black or grayish black coloration to simulate, when the curtain strip is wrapped about the roller 24, the appearance of an inking roller of the type used by printers in applying ink to a desired surface. As previously mentioned, the opposite or outer side surface of the curtain strip 28 possesses a coloration and design exactly duplicating the coloration and design of the covering web 14 or the upper surface of the base frame 10. In this manner, as the roller is moved longitudinally of the base frame, an observer is unable to detect the winding or unwinding of the curtain strip about the roller 24 due to the identity in color and design of the outer side surface of the curtain strip and that of the bed surface or web 14, manipulation of the handle and movement of the carriage merely creating the illusion that an inkng roller is moving over a continuous surface.

In operation, for example, the present illusion-producing toy may be made to simulate or create the illusion that the device prints from a blank or plain sheet of paper a paper bank note or other indicia-bearing sheet.

Toward this end, the person endeavoring to create the illusion, while out of view of an observer, and with the roller and carriage occupying its left hand end position as shown in Fig. 3, first places the desired indicia-bearing sheet, such as a bank note, indicated at 32, flatly upon the upper surface of the web 14, with one end of the indiciabearing sheet 32 placed closely adjacent to the outer convolution of the curtain strip 28 carried upon the roller 24. When the indicia-bearing sheet 32 is properly positioned, the handle 22 is manipulated so as to draw the carriage and roller from left to right to the position shown in Fig. 4 wherein the curtain strip 28 is unwound from the roller 24 and completely covers and conceals from view the indicia-bearing sheet 32. With the indicia-bearing sheet 32 thus concealed, the device is shown to the observer, and a second blank or plain sheet of paper 33 is inserted between the bearers 11 with the end thereof closely adjacent to the outer surface of the roller 24, or the convolution of the curtain strip 28 covering the outer surface of the roller. The proper positioning of the blank sheet 33 is disclosed in Fig. 4 wherein it will be noted that the blank sheet, which is preferably of the same size as the indicia-bearing sheet 32 is in substantial alignment with the indicia-bearing sheet hidden by the curtain strip 28. Thus, by moving the carriage 15v longitudinally of the base frame from right to left from the Fig. 4 position, the blank sheet 33 is wound about the roller 24 between the individual convolutions of the curtain strip 28, while the indicia-bearing sheet 32 is progressively exposed to create the illusion that the roller passes over the blank sheet and imprints thereon the indicia carried by the indicia-bearing sheet 32. As the carriage and roller reach the left hand end position, the indicia-bearing sheet may be withdrawn from the bed surface and handed to the observer for inspection while the blank or plain sheet of paper previously inserted is completely concealed between the convolutions of the curtain strip 28 fully wound about the roller 24.

It will be understood that in using the term indiciabearing, it is intended that such terms include in their definition colored or design-bearing sheets as well as printed or engraved sheets, as the instant illusion-producing device may function equally as well in the creation of an ilusion that a given plain or blank sheet of paper changes in color as the roller passes thereover to expose a colored sheet corresponding to the indicia-bearing sheet 32.

Also, it should be understood that the instant device may be operated in several different ways to create various illusions, and that the foregoing operating description is given merely by way of example. For instance, the positions of the blank and indicia-bearing sheets may be reversed so that upon operation of the roller, the indicia-bearing sheet may be made to disappear leaving only a blank or plain sheet of paper. Thus, it is intended that the foregoing operational description is by way of example only, and that the method of operating the present device should not be interpreted as a limitation upon the present invention.

In v iew of the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides an extremely interesting and fascinating illusion-producing toy or device which is designed for operation and use by both professional and amateur magicians as well as the ordinary individual. Devices formed in accordance with the present invention are characterized by their ease of operation, simplicity of construction, and economy of manufacture. When the present device is fabricated from ordinary plastic materials, the same is characterized by a pleasing appearance, and assembly of the various component parts of the device is facilitated by reason of limited resilient flexibility of plastic materials permitting of ease in the formation of the component elements and assembly thereof. It should be understood, however, that fabrication of the instant dehandle connected with said roller-supporting means and operable to slide the latter longitudinally of said base; a flexible curtain strip having a first end portion secured to one end of said base and a second end portion trained about and secured to the peripheral surface of said roller; and resilient tensioning means connected with said roller for yieldably resisting movement of said roller in a direction away from said one end of said base and for assisting movement thereof in the direction of said one end of said base, said curtain strip and said tensioning means serving to cause positive rotation of said roller upon longitudinal movement thereof in either direction over said bed surface, said tensioning means serving also to maintain said curtain strip taut during movement of said roller over said bed surface, said curtain strip being unwound from said roller against the force of said tensioning means and when unwound being adapted to conceal a first exible sheet between it and said bed surface and being arranged to receive and expose a second ilexible sheet upon its outer surface, said roller being operable to wind said curtain strip and said second sheet thereabout upon movement of said roller-supporting means longitudinally of said base from the unwound position of said curtain strip, whereby to progressively and simultaneously conceal said second sheet and expose said rst sheet to the View of an observer.

2. An illusion-producing toy comprising a base frame provided with a ilat rectangular upper surface of given coloration; a carriage member slidably carried on said frame and movable longitudinally of said upper surface; a roller rotatably carried by said carriage member and extending transversely over said upper surface, said roller being movable longitudinally of said upper surface with said carriage member; handle means connected with said carriage member for moving said carriage member and said roller longitudinally of said upper surface; a exible rectangular curtain strip having a first end portion secured to said frame substantially at one end of said upper surface and an opposite end portion secured to said roller;

and spring means in said roller arranged to resiliently restrain rotation of said roller in one direction and to assist rotation in the other direction, said curtain strip having an outer viewing surface of substantially the same colora tion as the upper surface of said base frame and being arranged to be wound upon the outer peripheral surface of said roller when the latter is moved longitudinally of said upper surface in the direction of said one end of said upper surface to expose said upper surface and to be unwound from said roller against the force of said spring means when the roller is moved longitudinally of said upper surface in the opposite direction, said spring means serving also to maintain said curtain strip taut during movement of said roller over said upper surface whereby to cover and conceal said upper surface from the view of an observer, the upper surface of said base frame and the inner surface of said curtain strip, when the latter is unwound from said roller, being adapted to receive atly therebetween and conceal a first indicia-bearing sheet, and the outer surface of said curtain strip when the latter is unwound being adapted to iiatly receive a second blank sheet exposed to the View of an observer, said roller with the first and second sheets so positioned being movable longitudinally of the upper surface of said base frame to simultaneously expose the first indicia-bearing sheet to the view of an observer while Winding said curtain strip and the second blank sheet about said roller to impart to an observer the illusion that said roller passes over the second blank sheet and prints the indicia of the first sheet thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 453,201 Miklas June 2, 1891 783,203 Horrocks Feb. 21, 1905 1,032,510 Scott July 16, 1912 2,176,371 Wahl Oct. 17, 1939 2,608,155 Kohlbusch Aug. 26, 1952 

